The Nature of Southeast Alaska - (Alaska Geographic) 3rd Edition by Richard Carstensen & Robert H Armstrong & Rita M O'Clair (Paperback)

About the Book

Everything you ever wanted to know about the flora and fauna of Southeast Alaska is contained in the third edition of this lively field guide to the natural world, from bears to banana slugs, mountains to murrelets. The unique features of the book include

In-depth information about how wildlife coexists with the environment
Detailed discussions of mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates, fungi, and plants
Detailed map of wilderness areas in Southeast Alaska
More than 200 black-and-white illustrations
A bibliography, list of common and scientific names, and an index

Book Synopsis

Everything you ever wanted to know about the flora and fauna of Southeast Alaska is contained in the third edition of this lively field guide to the natural world, from bears to banana slugs, mountains to murrelets. The unique features of the book include

In-depth information about how wildlife coexists with the environment
Detailed discussions of mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates, fungi, and plants
Detailed map of wilderness areas in Southeast Alaska
More than 200 black-and-white illustrations
A bibliography, list of common and scientific names, and an index

Review Quotes

"Going beyond the usual descriptions of flora and fauna of a region found in wildlife and nature field guides, the authors of this guide strive to show the interconnectedness of wildlife and plants in an ecosystem and the relationships to each other within the Southeast Alaska region. The authors, who are both Alaskan residents and biologists, start by describing the various habitats found in the region, then go on to describe the various indigenous animals, plants, and fungi that populate the region. Peppered with detailed line art illustrations, this book combines scientific research with personal experiences to make a definitive field guide for residents of or visitors to Southeast Alaska. This, the third edition, includes expanded coverage of old growth forest biology, previously unpublished line art illustrations, and side-bars containing personal reflections from the authors." -Eithne O'Leyne, Editor, ProtoView

"This is one book you must have along if you're planning to get marooned on a deserted Southeast Alaskan island. Since the authors-longtime Southeast teachers and biologists--have pondered everything in the Tongass from giant glaciers to the smallest no-see-ums, this book is probably the most comprehensive treatment you can get of the flora, fauna, and habitat of Southeast." --Ketchikan Daily News

"The authors write with humor and insight on a range of natural topics--from banana slugs and slime mold to glaciers, old-growth forests, and the reproductive problems of blueberry bushes. . . . This witty reference book goes beyond the traditional field guide, offering in-depth and entertaining insights." --Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

"The Nature of Southeast Alaska does a good job at weaving together scientific research, personal observations, and down-to-earth writing." --Sitka Sentinel


"Unlike the standard nature guides that explain how to recognize common animals, Nature stresses the web of interrelationships that link the regional flora and fauna. This affectionate examination of some of North America's most spectacular surviving old-growth forests will delight backpackers and armchair naturalists." -Los Angeles Times Book Review

"[This book is] the best Alaska regional nature guide. . . . Unlike some more technical field guides, this one can be read with pleasure by nonspecialists. Without sacrificing their concern for facts, the authors conspire to make their text readable by describing their own field ventures in a lively fashion that conveys their enthusiasm." --Anchorage Daily News

About the Author

Richard Carstensen moved to Southeast Alaska in 1977. He works as a writer, nature illustrator, map maker, wilderness guide, environmental consultant, and instructor for the Discovery Foundation, a nonprofit organization teaching natural history to youth and educators of Southeast Alaska. He divides his time between the backyards of Juneau's schools and the remote wilderness.
Bob Armstrong has pursued a career in Alaska as a biologist, naturalist, and nature photographer since 1960. He is the author of the best-selling book "Guide to the Birds of Alaska" and numerous other popular and scientific books and articles on the natural history of the state. From 1960 to 1984, he was a fishery biologist and research supervisor for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, an assistant leader for the Alaska Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, and Associate Professor of Fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Armstrong retired from the State of Alaska in 1984 to pursue broader interests in natural history and nature photography.
Since 1978, Rita M. O'Clair has taught a wide variety of biology courses at the University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, where she is currently Associate Professor of Biology. She received a PhD in zoology from the University of Washington, Seattle, in 1973. An honorary lifetime member of The Nature Conservancy, she belongs to numerous professional organizations. She has studied and photographed natural habitats around the world. She retired in 2000 and lives in Washington State.